Category: Innovation Network

Planning and Housing Strategies in the Combined Authorities – Leeds Planning Network Master Class 16 February

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Planning and housing strategies are essential for economic growth in the Combined Authorities and delegates at the Leeds Planning Network event in February had the opportunity to study three different approaches.
Speakers from Greater Manchester Combined Authority, South Yorkshire and Leeds City Regions provided much needed insight into the impact on planning and housing strategies on the city devolution agenda. They were ably chaired by consultant and researcher Jane Kettle, and addressed an audience of around 50 practitioners. Identifying a choice of strategies, the three speakers shared a vision that links housing growth to rising prosperity.

Anne Morgan, Planning Strategy Manager for Greater Manchester set out the benefits and challenges of the Combined Authority. The ability to produce a Greater Manchester spatial framework has made it possible to identify strategic growth areas, and plan collectively and consistently across ten local government areas. The spatial framework is supported by Mayoral compulsory purchase powers, and benefits from the potential to create Mayoral development companies. It has enabled the authorities to identify priorities, not only for economic growth but for the enhancement of green infrastructure. But it has also entangled the Combined Authority in public controversy over the loss of green belt land as tough decisions on housing allocations are made.
You can look at Anne Morgan’s  presentation here: Anne Morgan – GMSF Leeds .

While the route to becoming a Combined Authority has not been smooth in South Yorkshire, a collective approach to planning and housing has emerged from the bottom-up. A housing compact agreed between registered providers in South Yorkshire was hailed by Tony Stacy, chief executive of South Yorkshire Housing Association, a leap forward in co-operation and joint planning. The compact between local authorities and housing associations demonstrates a willingness to work collaboratively in meeting housing need. It has resulted in a joint bid for housing investment and plans to radically expand the number of new homes built. Housing – once excluded from the priorities of the city region – is now seen as a key part of the infrastructure of economic growth.
 You can look at Tony Stacy’s presentation here: Tony Stacey – Devolution, housing and Planning

An infrastructure investment framework has enabled the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to co-ordinate strategic planning in the Leeds city region and neighbouring areas. Colin Blackburn, Head of Infrastructure, stressed the need for a shared approach to planning and placemaking. While political structures evolve slowly, it is co-operation between authorities on development frameworks, land acquisition, site selection that makes combination possible. Significant challenges to housing delivery persist, and the Government White Paper provided few solutions, but agreement on strategy and consistency in approach are key achievements for West Yorkshire authorities.
You can find Colin Blackburn’s presentation here: Colin Blackburn RTPI – Planning and Housing Under Devo

 

By  Quintin Bradley

 

 

Planning Network Master Class: Planning and housing strategies in the combined authorities -16th February, Leeds

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Thursday 16th February 2017
17:30 – 19:30
The Rose Bowl (5th floor), Lecture Theatre RB538,
Leeds Beckett University,  Woodhouse Lane,
Leeds LS1 3HB

Master Class pic 16th Feb
What has been the impact of city devolution on planning and housing strategies? What new approaches have been taken by the combined authorities and what benefits have they seen?
 
Chair: Jane Kettle, Housing Consultant and Researcher
Our Panel:
 
Colin Blackburn, Head of Infrastructure & Investment, West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Anne Morgan, Planning Strategy Manager, Greater Manchester Planning & Housing Team
Tony Stacey, Chief Executive, South Yorkshire Housing Association
Followed by Q & A with the Panel

        Book Here!

Upbeat community planners thank Leeds Beckett for practical help

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Neighbourhoodplanningcollage

More than fifty volunteers from Leeds communities took part in an upbeat and enthusiastic neighbourhood planning workshop organised by Leeds Beckett University’ School of the Built Environment & Engineering on 30 January. They worked together to shape a vision for their communities helped by practical tips on plan-making and design from the university’s planning and housing lecturers. This was the second event in a programme of activities in which Leeds Beckett puts the skills and knowledge of its staff at the service of neighbourhoods in Leeds. Feedback from the workshop was unanimously positive and delegates went away with fresh ideas on how to deal with the thorny issues they face in the community.

Quintin Bradley, Senior Lecturer in Planning at Leeds Beckett University, said: “Sixty communities in Leeds, and many others across Yorkshire, are setting out a vision for how their local community will develop. They need technical assistance and expert advice to do this neighbourhood plan. Leeds Beckett is making sure they get the help they need.” The workshop was organised by Leeds Planning Network, one the new research clusters set up by the School of the Built Environment and Engineering supported by the Centre for Knowledge Exchange.

Delegates heard from Jeff Newton and John Steel, community volunteers in Boston Spa who are in the final stages of their neighbourhood plan. They talked about their innovative new designs for the high street and plans for a renewable energy scheme. Jeff and John stressed that plan-making was hard work but they were enthusiastic about the future and the improvements they wanted for their village (see their presentation below).

Detailed guidance on the legal aspects of plan-making was given by Bob Pritchard, specialist planning lawyer and guest lecturer at Leeds Beckett. He spelled out what a neighbourhood plan could achieve and what should go in it. This was vital information for delegates learning to write planning policy that will guide development in their community over the next twenty years (see his presentation below).

Following this, there were three discussion groups each focusing on themes requested by delegates at the previous workshop. Will Sparling, PhD candidate at Leeds Beckett gave help to inner-city communities working together on common problems. Planning lecturer, Harvey Pritchard gave advice on planning for infrastructure, while Jenny Fisher, principle urban designer for Leeds City Council helped delegates work on improving the look and feel of their neighbourhoods. Delegates were full of praise for the Leeds Beckett event and gave the organisers many more ideas for future workshops.

Copy of Leeds City Council “Neighbourhood Planning & Design Issues” Document to download

The next neighbourhood planning workshop is 16 April 2016 but in the mean time Leeds Planning Network will be holding two planning masterclass events on Tuesday 1st March (Details here)  and Thursday 17th March (Details here

 

Innovation through challenging times

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YorkshirePost

The Yorkshire Post and Leeds Beckett University invite you to join the next Innovation Network event on the 26 November 2015.

This new series of quarterly breakfast events features inspirational speakers and covers topics that we hope will be of relevance to you and your business. The event is free to attend and is aimed at Growth SMEs and Corporate Businesses. We hope you will join us to hear from our speakers, take part in discussions and to gain new business contacts.

Innovation through Challenging Times

Date: Thursday 26 November.
Time: 8.30am – 10.30am.
Location: 4th Floor, Yorkshire Post, No1 Leeds, 26 Whitehall Road, Leeds.
Refreshments and light snacks will be provided.

Pictured: Helen Oldham, Managing Director, Johnston Press Yorkshire.

johnsonpress

Innovation is a key driver for growth within our region, and on a business level can help you achieve the competitive advantage. Join us to find out how to drive the competitiveness of our region by developing innovation within your business, and how to do this in the most cost effective way.

Our speakers are:

  • Simon Brereton, Head of Innovation and Sector Development, Leeds City Council: The regional innovation agenda and innovation within the public sector during times of austerity.
  • Helen Oldham, Managing Director, Johnston Press Yorkshire: The changing face of the Yorkshire Post and regional press.
  • Tom Hainsworth, Managing Director, AW Hainsworth: Innovation as a driver for growth within AW Hainsworth, a 260 year old Yorkshire-based and family owned textile company.

The event is free to attend. Book your place here.